Broken Open
A Guided Journal for Self-Exploration and Reflection
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Stuck At various times in our lives, we might find ourselves stuck in old patterns and familiar habits that no longer serve us. Let’s face it. It’s part of being human. Old ways of thinking and outdated ways of being can make for heavy weights upon the soul. No matter how troubling and frustrating this space of time can be, it’s good news when you realize that you’re stuck in the first place. You certainly can’t fix what you don’t know is broken! I went to work everyday. I was a dedicated employee. Even worked after hours and weekends when required. Sometimes when it wasn’t. It was a great place to work for many years. But over time, things changed. The environment became pretty toxic. I would tell myself it was time to move on. But I didn’t. The predictability of a pay check was harder to walk away from. And I wasn’t clear what I wanted to do next. So I stayed. And I stayed. Until external factors made the decision for me. A job layoff that I didn’t see coming. Well, not until the last few months. I was angry. Hurt even. This company I had given 15 years of my life to didn’t show me the same loyalty. I carried that anger for months. Until I had to face the fact that I was the one who chose to stay in an environment that I already knew was not a place I needed to be anymore. I learned to see this differently. The Universe did not conspire against me. The Universe conspired on my behalf. I had become stuck in a pattern of playing it safe. Of looking for certainty. Of wanting to know what’s down the road before I even started out the gate. After the layoff, I ventured out to start my own business as a health and life coach. I wanted to coach for years but doubted I could truly make a living at it. But I wouldn’t know if I didn’t try. Sure, this gig hasn’t been without its challenges. But it is far more rewarding than the 8 to 5 grind I had become accustomed to. Unearthing the roots of old patterns is not easy. It takes courage to dig deep enough to find them and to discover what they are really all about - the thing that’s at the core of the matter. Be willing to ask the hard questions of yourself, especially the ones you really don’t want to ask. Ask anyway. Then patiently listen for the answer to be revealed. Choose Wisely A familiar fork in the road Choice point To the left, the road less traveled To the right, back to safety Choose Oh, so many choices! So many chances! Don’t you finally want to see what’s down the road less traveled? Put an end to your Groundhog Day Allow your future to unfold Take one step And then another Each one illuminating the next Your time is now The world has been waiting far too long For gifts only you can bring Journal Prompts What are the choices, experiences, circumstances, or challenges that seem to keep repeating in your life? What lessons are they trying to teach you? What decisions have you been presented with that you have been reluctant or fearful of making? What are you pretending not to know?
Select Format
Book Details
About the Book
Taking time to reflect on your life experiences is key to personal growth and deep learning. This is especially true when those experiences are the most challenging or when they leave you feeling like things are falling apart all around you. Journaling is a powerful tool of self-exploration and reflection, and this book offers poetry and guiding prompts for deep, introspective writing. Get ready for a journey that explores what it means to “break” with the intention of “breaking open”. When we break open, we find purpose in the madness and chaos that sometimes manifests in our lives. Navigating those waters takes courage, self-compassion, and faith such that when you emerge on the other side, something beautiful is created. Be inspired, be moved, be curious. Look into your heart for your most authentic self-expression and allow your words to break open on the journal pages within this book.
About the Author
Perlie Davis wrote her first words of poetry as a young child and started journaling as a teenager. These writings began as a form of self-expression for the rather shy girl who found it easier to voice her feelings through written words. Although she has shared her poetry with friends and family over the years, and even had a few published in literary magazines, this is her first published body of work. As a child, Perlie was often the kid who other kids confided in and looked to for advice. Even at a young age, she had a natural way of making others feel safe. Perlie found her way to transformational work in the 90s and took a liking to coaching and facilitating. Although her formal schooling was in computer science, her passion was around serving others through powerful and authentic listening. Her listening skills were honed through various transformational programs, groups, and trainings spanning 3 decades. After 28 years working in tech-related jobs, Perlie turned her passion into a profession and launched her own private coaching practice, Simply Pearl Health & Wellness, LLC (www.simplypearl.com). As a certified health and life coach, Perlie serves her clients by compassionately guiding them through visioning and goal setting. Her knack for structure and organization gives her the ability to guide her clients from idea to action to results. Perlie currently lives in Tallahassee, FL, but still has strong ties to Raleigh, NC where she previously spent 20 years. She still writes poetry and journals frequently. She also enjoys yoga, meditation, trying new recipes, and watching science fiction (especially all things Star Trek).